A study on awareness regarding swine flu (influenza A H1N1) pandemic in an urban community of Karnataka

COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Iranian pregnant and postpartum women: A national study

BACKGROUND

To control the spread of COVID-19, Iran has adopted rigorous precautionary and preventive measures, particularly for vulnerable groups. Considering the effects of knowledge and attitudes about COVID-19 on adherence to preventive measures, we examined women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum about COVID-19 during this pandemic.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 7363 women were recruited via an online questionnaire between June 23, 2021 and July 7, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 27 questions, measuring KAP.

RESULTS

Most of the participants had a good understanding of COVID-19 (Mean: 7.30 out of 9, standard deviation [SD]: 1.27), but the knowledge of the disease's main symptoms and modes of transmission was at the lowest levels. The mean attitudes score was 31.47 out of 50 (SD: 7.70). The participants had good practices against COVID-19 with a mean score of 35.48 out of 40 (SD: 3.94). To reduce anxiety and fear during the pandemic, half of our participants strongly emphasized the role of family emotional support. Income status and educational levels were the most significant variables influencing KAP (p-value ≤0.001). A correlation was found between knowledge and practice scores (r = 0.205, p-value = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings may serve to formulate awareness-raising interventions and can be a guide to health policymakers and workers such as obstetricians, clinicians, and midwives for more effective educational communication emphasizing the COVID-19 symptoms and transmission modes and rendering appropriate counseling, particularly on the importance of emotional family support during the pandemic.

Predicting Covid-19 preventive behaviors based on constructs of health belief model

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of Covid-19 has become a clinical threat worldwide. However, knowledge about this new virus is limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the preventive behaviors of Covid-19 based on the constructs of health belief model (HBM) in the clients of health centers in Zabol, Iran.

METHODS

This descriptive-analytical (cross-sectional) study was performed on 160 people referring to health centers in Zabol by the available method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS20 software and appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS

A positive and significant correlation was observed between preventive behaviors of Covid-19 and perceived benefit constructs (r = 0.29, P = 0.0001) and self-efficacy (r = 0.39, P = 0.0001). HBM constructs were able to predict about 36% of the variance of Covid-19 disease preventive behaviors, with self-efficacy (B = 0.134) being the strongest predictor.

CONCLUSION

Since no specific and definitive treatment for Corona has been found yet, taking preventive measures can be the best way to prevent the spread of this disease in the community. Therefore, this can be achieved by raising awareness and preventive behaviors through health education.

Emerging technologies for combating pandemics

INTRODUCTION

Covid-19, alongside previous pandemics, has highlighted the need for the continued development of technologies that are at our disposal. Emerging technologies are those that show true promise in achieving such a goal and have begun to form sturdy independent research areas. Technological advances in healthcare must continually develop to ensure that the world is prepared for any future diseases that may ensue. As such, a strategic review into 39 manuscripts since 2019 has been conducted to determine the prominence of emerging technologies since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

AREAS COVERED

Relating to their use in a pandemic state, additive manufacturing (AM), biofabrication, microfluidics, biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS), and artificial intelligence (AI) are described. Applications over the past 2-3 years, as well as future developments, are considered throughout.

EXPERT OPINION

All the technologies mentioned in this review are sure to develop further, having shown their importance and value during the covid-19 pandemic. As research continues within the area, their efficacy will increase to the point where it likely will become gold standard for pandemic control. Combining certain technologies mentioned has also proved to have had great success in improving the final results obtained.

Risk Perception in the COVID-19 pandemic; a health promotion approach

BACKGROUND

Many measures have been taken so far to minimize the outbreak of COVID-19, but it is still unclear to what extent people have understood the risk. Public participation plays a vital role in better and effective control of the coronavirus, and the importance of risk perception is effective in their preventive behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the pandemic risk perception of coronavirus disease after began of pandemic in Iranian society.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Iran in spring 2020. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The questions were extracted through interviews with experts and summarizing the opinions of public interviews, etc., The questionnaire was made available to the public through social media. The information was collected within 3 months. Quantitative data were reported as mean ± standard deviation and the qualitative data were reported as number and percent. Multiple linear regression and cross were also used to examine the demographic factors associated with risk perception. Data Analysis was performed using the SPSS version 21 statistical software.

RESULTS

In this study, 402 individuals from 28 provinces (Azarbaijan Gharbi, Azarbaijan Sharghi, Alborz, Ardabil, Bushehr, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Ghazvin, Gilan, Golestan, Hamedan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan Razavi, Khorasan Shomali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Semnan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, and Zanjan) of Iran participated. The risk perception score obtained from the sum of the scores of the questions was classified into quartiles. Accordingly, the risk perception score of (22.9) 92 people was very low, (26.6) 107 people low, (26.9) 108 people moderate, and (23.6) 95 people high. The results of multiple linear regression showed that the variables of gender (P = 0.008) and occupation (P = 0.013) had a significant relationship with risk perception. There was no significant relationship between risk perception and variables of age, marital status, and level of education (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study showed that the risk perception of the people is more in categories of moderate to high. Assessing the risk perception of a pandemic can be helpful for preventive measurements and planning, and also, according to the results of the research, can be done appropriate educational interventions. Given that 47.5% of respondents were employees, of course, it should be noted that in sending a questionnaire virtually, there is usually a lot of loss and this is a limitation of the research. The results of this study can be useful in making prevention decisions and maintaining safety and health in the workplace.

Pandemic Awareness Scale (PAS): Evidence of Validity and Reliability in a Turkish Sample During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Public awareness is crucial in the prevention and management of the pandemic outbreaks. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a scale that measures individuals’ awareness on pandemic outbreaks. The study investigated psychometric properties of the Pandemic Awareness Scale (PAS) in a Turkish sample (n = 1303) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exploratory-factor-analysis (EFA) results (n = 903) indicated a high internal consistency reliability (α = .89) and suggested one-factor structure. The factor structure was confirmed in a different sample (n = 400) by a confirmatory-factor-analysis (CFA). The CFA results indicated that the one-factor model fits the data well (x²/df = 3.79, GFI = .96, IFI = .97, TLI = .94, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .084). The results suggested that the PAS is a valid and reliable tool to measure Turkish individuals’ pandemic awareness level.

Effectiveness of containment strategies and local cognition to control vehicular traffic volume in Dhaka, Bangladesh during COVID-19 pandemic: Use of Google Map based real-time traffic data

Background

To prevent the viral transmission from higher infected to lower infected area, controlling the vehicular traffic, consequently public movement on roads is crucial. Containment strategies and local cognition regarding pandemic might be helpful to control vehicular movement. This study aimed to ascertain the effectiveness of containment strategies and local cognition for controlling traffic volume during COVID-19 pandemic in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Method

Six containment strategies were considered to explore their influence on traffic condition, including declaration of general holiday, closure of educational institution, deployment of force, restriction on religious gathering, closure of commercial activities, and closure of garments factories. Newspaper coverage and public concern about COVID-19 were considered as local cognition in this research. The month of Ramadan as a potential event was also taken into account considering it might have an impact on the overall situation. Average daily journey speed (ADJS) was calculated from real-time traffic data of Google Map to understand the vehicular traffic scenario of Dhaka. A multiple linear regression method was developed to comprehend the findings.

Results

The results showed that among the containment strategies, declaration of general holiday and closure of educational institutions could increase the ADJS significantly, thereby referring to less traffic movement. Besides, local cognition could not significantly affect the traffic condition, although the month of Ramadan could increase the ADJS significantly.

Conclusion

It is expected that these findings would provide new insights into decision-making and help to take appropriate strategies to tackle the future pandemic situation.

Egyptian school children awareness and precautions in Covid19 pandemic: a cross sectional survey study

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) is showing a wide global spread, and urgent joint international efforts is required to the control of this pandemic, the awareness of people towards infectious viruses still the main factor to limit the widespread of disease. The aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness and attitude towards COVID-19 among a sample of Egyptian school children, using a web-based questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 708 participants were involved in this online survey study, representing different areas in Egypt, 378 males (53.4%), 330 females (46.5%); their age range between 6 and 18 years. Regarding the residence, 576 (81.4%) were from urban areas, the remaining 132 (18.6%) were from non-urban areas. Internet and media were more frequent used as a source of information in urban students. The knowledge level score of risk and prevention of the disease were significantly higher in urban students than in non-urban students. Healthy practice score ≥ 50 were significantly more frequent in urban students. Healthy practice score was non-significantly higher in urban students.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the study participants of school students are knowledgeable about basic information, and have cautious preventive practices towards COVID-19, denoting the efficacy of the public health efforts. However, the lower level of awareness in non-urbans, indicating a need to address alternative channels to communicate with these populations.

Knowledge and Practice Toward Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Among Healthcare Workers at Delghi Primary Hospital During a Massive Test Campaign in Northwest Gondar, Ethiopia: Institution-Based Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey

BACKGROUND

Since December 29, 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading and is associated with notoriously increased morbidity and mortality of populations worldwide, including Ethiopia. Medicine and the healthcare system have been challenged by both first and second-waves of SARS-CoV-2. During this entire crisis, the main purpose of this study was to determine the current evidence on the level of awareness and prevention practice of healthcare workers (HCWs) at the district primary hospital, Delghi Primary Hospital (DPH) regarding COVID-19 in the overall effort to control the spread of the virus.

METHODS

Institutional-based descriptive cross-sectional analysis was performed between late August and September 20, 2020. Participants of the study were HCWs with various occupations at DPH, North West Gondar, Ethiopia. In this study, among 112 health professions, we included a total of 104 HCWs. Written consent was obtained for willingness of the study participants from the DPH administrative office. Then, using a pre-tested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire, data were collected. The questionnaire included socio-demographics, sources of information, knowledge, and practice measures regarding COVID-19. The collected data were analyzed through IBM SPSS version 20. As a cut-off value, ≥8 out of 15 knowledge questions and ≥7 out of 14 practice questions were considered good knowledge and practice, respectively.

RESULTS

The result of this study showed the majority of the respondents were male (71/104, (68.3%)), with a median age of 28 (minimum age 20 and maximum age 50) years. Thus, 94.2% (n=98/104) was the overall rate of correctly answered questions out of 15 knowledge questions. However, 40.6% of them had poor prevention practices. 73.1% of participants used regular hand-washing with soap and 64.4% used hand sanitizer and handshake avoidance equally for prevention purposes. Whereas, social distancing rule and mask-wearing were reported as impracticable by 55.8% and 44.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

94.2% of HCWs had a good level of knowledge about COVID-19; in contrast, lack of preventive practice was observed. This implies that there is a gap between knowledge and implementation of preventive measures toward the disease.

An analytical study on the awareness, attitude and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new variable of the Coronaviridae family. COVID-19 spreads primarily by contacting the virus either from a COVID-19-infected individual through coughing or sneezing or from COVID-19-contaminated surfaces. On March 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced COVID-19 as a pandemic. The government of Saudi Arabia was among the first countries in the world to take quick and serious precautions. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has made the public aware of the virus transmission patterns and the importance of quarantine and curfew. Despite strict measures taken, the awareness of people towards infectious viruses remains the most important factor in limiting the widespread of diseases.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey of 1767 participants, was conducted to explore the awareness, attitude and practice of COVID-19 in relation to socioeconomic data among residents in the city of Riyadh.

RESULTS

Of all the participants, 58% showed a moderate level of awareness, 95% presented a high attitude and 81% presented an adequate practice regarding COVID-19. Significant positive correlation between awareness-attitude (r = 0.132, p-value < 0.001) and attitude-practice (r = 0.149, p-value < 0.001) were found. The gender of the participants was the only common characteristic significantly associated with both awareness and practice. This study revealed that males showed a slight increase (60%) in the level of awareness compared to female participants (57%), however, when it comes to the practice towards COVID-19, females showed slightly better practice (82%) than males (80%). The World health organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) were the main sources of information.

CONCLUSION

Despite the moderate public awareness, their attitude and practice were better. Therefore, public awareness must be improved to be prepared for epidemic and pandemic situations. A comprehensive public health education program is important to increase awareness and to reach sufficient knowledge.